Novatac Storm 2.5 months Later

andrewnewman

Enlightened
Joined
Nov 27, 2009
Messages
411
Location
Connecticut, US
So... We've all slammed the door on a new vehicle we were considering for purchase. It's not very scientific but the "clunk" of a solidly built door that is properly aligned gives you a visceral sense that maybe the car or truck is well built. No way of *really* knowing if it will start leaking oil or stalling intermittently in 9 months by a mere door slam but we do it nonetheless.

So when I first got my Novatac Storm is passed the preliminary "door slam" test. Sure it wasn't hard anodized and the bezel was aluminum. Sure the head spring was soft and deformed easily. Sure that big spring surrounding the battery was a little weird. It still basically felt solid in my hand and worked as advertised.

Well...

2.5 months later I think it has sprung a oil leak (metaphorically).

I noticed early on that odd bumps or bounces would cause it to turn on unexpectedly. I also noticed that at unpredictable times when using the light it would start go into an uncommanded "light show" mode and I would have to loosen the tailcap to get it to stop. The light came with a battery that went unexpectedly dead after a very short time. I chalked that up to an old battery. Later I put a fresh 4Sevens primary in and everything was good. Then one day after several days sitting quietly in my office desk drawer I picked up the light and it was dead. The battery was dead. Ok, says I. I put a fresh Panasonic cell in and verified proper operation. I then used the light on a few occasions over a 2 week period. This morning after the weekend I came in and grabbed the light out of the nice quiet padded desk drawer in my office and, sure enough... dead. The battery was depleted.

So it appears to randomly come on and drain the battery when left unattended. I have put a fresh battery in and locked out the tailcap hoping this will address the issue. This basically makes the light my least reliable specimen.

I do realize I could probably return it to either the dealer or Novatac. It is possible that I just got a dud. For the record, I have checked that all of the threads are cleaned and properly lubricated and that the retaining rings for head and tail are properly tight. I may still return this light but my very unscientific "gut" tells me bad things about this newest line of Novatacs.

Please feel free to draw your own conclusions.
 

nbp

Flashaholic
Joined
Dec 16, 2007
Messages
10,970
Location
Wisconsin
I don't have any experience with Novatacs, unfortunately, so I can't really give you any suggestions on what to try to fix the issues, but I'm sorry you got a lemon. :(

Were I in your shoes, I would definitely contact the dealer you bought it from. If it's a reputable vendor, I would think they would exchange it for you. It seems many CPFers still favor and carry Novatacs, so I think it would be disappointing for many if quality were starting to decline. I would try to get it replaced. You may just have a dud.

Hope you can get it straightened out. :)

EDIT: Hey, my 500th post!!!! Now I get an asterisk! :party: :party:
 

John_Galt

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Feb 20, 2009
Messages
1,831
Location
SW, PA
Wow, seems like the quality is really lacking with these new models. Have you tried contacting Novatac CS?

As an aside question, does anyone know if the threading on the new Novatacs is the same as the old HDS lights? I like using the CR123's, but that can get expensive, so I'd love to be able to run it on 2AA.
 

tyvaulter

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Mar 23, 2010
Messages
2
Not a lemon, unless they're all lemons. Mine does the same thing and has since the day I bought it 2 years ago (120 EDC). I've tried contacting novatac and the seller with no help. Cleaning, tightening, and spring adjusting doesn't solve anything.
 

andrewnewman

Enlightened
Joined
Nov 27, 2009
Messages
411
Location
Connecticut, US
So I *did* get a response back from Novatac via email. They have offered to send me an RMA. My gut tells me that my light is working as well as it probably ever will (sadly) but I will probably send it to Novatac for evaluation anyway. It's close to useless to me as it stands.
 

abarth_1200

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 16, 2008
Messages
1,015
Location
Scotland
The hds battery tube does fit on newer models, I have a 11XXX a 32XXX and one without any numbers and the posi spring in head abd it fits all of the with no issues.
 
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